tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17772826166188727322014-10-02T21:41:31.012-07:00If You Say Go: Following God to ColombiaAugust 3 - August 11, 2010
Medellin, ColombiaAdam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-80471145316308255242010-08-22T11:18:00.000-07:002010-08-22T11:18:24.064-07:00Our Video<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just a brief glimpse into the time we spend with Open Arms! Enjoy!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwfxZNNA4RY">EVC Mission Trip, Medellin, Colombia</a>Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-39816194687553484862010-08-22T11:13:00.000-07:002010-08-22T11:20:56.295-07:00Bringing it Back Home<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are two questions people are asking me about Colombia: How was it? and "How do you think you'll apply your trip to your<i> real</i> life?"</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How was it?</b></span></div><div class="VRSONE" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4-6</a> says,</span><span style="font-size: small;"> there was a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,<span class="reftext"> </span>a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,<span class="reftext"> </span>a time to search and a time to give up,</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> a time to keep and a time to throw away.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The team experienced so much joy with each other and with the boys and girls we were working with. In spite of a major communication barrier, we had very few problems communicating with the children and sharing love and laughter with them. We definitely had plenty of times to laugh.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br /></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">But we also had time to mourn for the children and the circumstances. While we were there, two girls ran away from the group home and returned to the street life. And one boy was asked to leave the farm because he continued to violate the no-drugs policy. We watched as the boy left with nothing but a backpack and some bus money.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Most of us went hoping to serve God and show his love. And though I can't speak for everyone, I came back with so much more than I could possibly have given. I didn't realize it at the time but God sent me there so he could bring me home.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br /></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><b>Now what?</b></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">When I was there, I didn't feel stressed out at all. I was completely fine with whatever happened or didn't happen and I wasn't concerned about impressing anyone, or making a name for myself, or trying to 'get ahead' of anything or anyone. And I think the reason is because when I was there, God was my boss. The only thing I had to do was love people...or as the Christians say, "Love on people."&nbsp;</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br /></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">After going back to work last week, I started to think about the stress in my life and the expectations I have of myself and I thought, "What if God was my boss everyday? What if the only thing that was expected of me everyday was to love people?" I find a significant peace in thinking about this because I don't think they are hypothetical questions. I truly believe that's the way God wants us to live our lives!</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">It's easy to love people when there are no other demands on your time, resources, and energy. It's a lot harder to do when you're thinking about where the next paycheck is coming from, or if you're "good enough" in the eyes of your employer, or your friends and family, or how you measure up to the neighbors.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I think we all have a tendency to put expectations and limitations on ourselves that God is not requiring of us.&nbsp; The only thing He demands is that we love Him and each other. It took a trip to Colombia to realize this so here's how I plan to keep that trip alive: I've made a commitment to start approaching tasks and interactions with the two questions: "Does what I'm doing represent me loving God with all my heart?" And, "Is what I'm doing an indication of loving my neighbor as myself?"</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don't know what this means for everyday life -- cleaning the house, walking the dog, making dinner, etc -- but I do know that where I have a chance to make a choice about how I approach something, I will be keeping those two things in mind. </span></div>Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-60125673358513858422010-08-17T16:49:00.000-07:002010-08-17T16:49:31.113-07:00Back from Colombia!We're baaaack!<br /><br />One week ago today, I was doubled over and vomiting in the front seat of a 12-passenger van. That's how my trip to Colombia came to an end. I don't know whether it was food poisoning, or a virus, or something else completely but I do know that I was sick, sick, sick. It was truly a miracle brought about through prayer that I made it on the plane on Wednesday morning.<br /><br />Thank you to all the prayer warriors out there! By the time we actually landed in Columbus, I was feeling better -- still not 100 percent, but better.<br /><br />I aim to spend some time this weekend writing a better update but I did want to let you all know that the team really saw God working in Medellin and that we're all back safely.<br /><br />Thank you for your support.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-88600066656614227072010-08-01T14:59:00.000-07:002010-08-01T14:59:15.948-07:00Seeing God work -- My story<b>Dear God: Asking questions and getting answers&nbsp; </b><br />Preparing to go on this trip has really opened my eyes to how and where God works. I was skeptical about writing and distributing a support letter. I had all these doubts running through my head. Why would people want to support me? Isn't it going to be awkward essentially asking people for money? Wouldn't I have to come out of my "Christian closet" -- into the public eye if I was going to ask for donations?<br /><br />Well, over the course of the past two months, all those doubts disappeared and all my questions were answered -- it's only been through prayer and reflection that I see this now but I think it's so important that I want to share my conversations with God.<br /><div style="color: purple;"><br /></div><div style="color: purple;"><i>Dear God: Why would people support me?</i></div><b>'</b>Silly child. They aren't supporting you. They are supporting me.'<br /><br /><div style="color: purple;"><i>Dear God: Isn't it going to be awkward asking people for money?</i></div>'I will give you the words and the means to write the letter. And I will show you who to give the letter to. Trust me on this one.'<br /><div style="color: purple;"><br /></div><div style="color: purple;"><i>Dear God: I'm scared to come out of my Christian closet, especially at work.</i></div>'I didn't say this was going to be easy. You will know what to say and when to say it. You will know what to share and when to share it. Listen for me and I will be your guide.'<br /><br /><b>It's all so clear now </b><br />When I wrote my support letter and distributed it, I&nbsp; didn't know that it would generate so many opportunities to talk about God and my faith. I didn't know that I would be sharing my Christian mission trip with people at work. And, it was a lot easier than I ever thought it could be. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/TFXtbl7koJI/AAAAAAAAATM/1g67vWuEuTk/s1600/Boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/TFXtbl7koJI/AAAAAAAAATM/1g67vWuEuTk/s200/Boxes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>"Thank you" doesn't seem to say enough to those of you who have contributed money, clothing, shoes, sports equipment, and prayer. I lay no claim to knowing how God works -- but I do know that He provides.&nbsp; When all is said and done, 90% of the costs associated with this mission were donated and countless clothes, shoes and sporting goods! The picture to the right shows the donations from my friends at Limited Logistics Services. The leadership team there is generously shipping all 12 of these boxes! <br /><br /><b> I will not do great things in Colombia: God will</b><br />It's been an emotional day, thinking about all of you and how blessed I am that you support this work.&nbsp; These contributions allow me to go and work on behalf of God, through Christ.&nbsp; I want you to know that words can't describe how grateful I am. Thank you all for believing in this work. Thank you for believing that God can work <i>through</i> me.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />I am leaving in 36 hours: praise be to God for this opportunity.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-89851856246001179602010-07-25T16:34:00.000-07:002010-07-25T16:34:41.905-07:00The Countdown Begins: 9 Days to ColombiaI want to begin this post with a gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this trip financially, with donations, with prayer, or in some cases, with all three. I have an amazing sense of calm about this trip.<br /><br />People have asked me how I'm preparing for this trip. There are really two ways.<br /><ol><li>Reading the Bible</li><li>Prayerful meditation</li></ol>One of the women I am traveling with, Nicole, turned me on to a bible study called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805447539/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&amp;pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&amp;pf_rd_t=201&amp;pf_rd_i=0805401970&amp;pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_r=16JJD5TJXKZ6PW8JK1PC">Experiencing God</a> by Henry and Richard Blackaby. It's a self-guided (or group study) of your personal relationship with the Lord. The heart of the study is about developing an intimate relationship with God. Through my reading and meditation, I've gained insight into what it means to listen to God, to be a servant, and to live a God-centered life. <br /><br />Our pastor recently asked us to submit a mini-bio about ourselves. One of the questions in the bio was "What do you hope God will do through you?"&nbsp; I don't "hope" God will do something through me. I know He will and that's because I know, without a doubt, God called me to go to Colombia.<br /><br />The Blackaby study has helped me see where God has been working in my life and it's encouraged me to see this whole trip as experiencing God.&nbsp; <br /><br />People ask me "Well, what are you going to be doing down there." I never know how to answer that question. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:5&amp;version=NIV">John 15:5</a> says "Apart from me, you can do nothing." I would be foolish to think that anything that happens down there is because of me. In fact, I'm being cautious of having any expectation about what we are going to "do." Rather, I am preparing to see God at work and to listen for Him to speak to me. <br /><br />What, exactly, God will do <b>through me</b>, is up to Him. "Understanding what God is about to do where I am is more important that telling God what I want to do for Him." (Blackaby, 38). &nbsp;Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-81240064131828956332010-07-12T16:50:00.000-07:002010-07-12T16:50:18.564-07:00Three more weeks and $100 to goThe mission team met last night for some food and fun. We also did a bit of packing.<br /><br />One of the things we've decided to offer the girls at Open Arms is a 'spa day.' We've been fortunate to receive donations from family, friends and workplaces and have stuff to do manicures, pedicures, and facials. We also have make-up bags and purses for the girls (courtesy of Limited Brands).&nbsp; We got all that stuff into a couple of suitcases and suddenly the trip was very real!<br /><br />Another thing we'd like to do for the girls is host a baby shower. We're going to spend the next 3 weeks trying to collect baby items: blankets, pacifiers, baby nail clippers, bibs, rattles, etc.&nbsp; We need at least 12 of each as there are that many 'expecting' moms with OAF right now.<br /><br />For the boys, we're taking an entire set of soccer uniforms donated by one of the local schools. We're really excited about that donation. We're not sure what else to take for the boys. Someone recommended shoes, and another person said they'd be thrilled with sunglasses. Any ideas?<br /><br />The last thing we know we want to take with us are school supplies: crayons, scissors, glue sticks, folders, pencils, pens, etc. We'd like to donate those to the Children's Church.<br /><br />We have a team meeting this Wednesday and all our money is due at that time. I'm within $100 of my goal. The total cost of the trip is $1601 and through some very generous giving, I'm almost there. If you're considering a donation, now's the time!&nbsp;Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-69935503682921906562010-07-05T18:43:00.000-07:002010-07-05T18:43:14.114-07:00"Oh -- and I'm going on a misson trip"It's that time of year when people ask "Any plans for this summer? Traveling at all?" &nbsp;For the most part, this trip has been something that's existed in another reality -- so much so that it's not the first thing I think of when someone asks the question about my summer plans. I'll usually start with, "No, just small weekends here and there, " and then it will hit me. "Oh yeah - and I'm going to Colombia on a mission trip." People probably think I'm being nonchalant about it on purpose but I promise you, I'm not.<br /><br />I have to keep reminding myself that this trip is on the horizon and every time it crosses my mind, so do the words, "Holy crap."<br /><br />What in the world am I doing? This seemed like such a good idea a few months ago and now the reality is sinking in. If I start to think about it too much, little whimpers escape my chest. I. Am. Getting. Nervous.<br /><br />I'm not nervous in the sense that I think Colombia is a dangerous place...though many people are eager to tell me to be careful (The last <a href="http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_941.html">State Department travel advisory</a> was issued in March). No, my nervousness comes from knowing that in less than a month, I'm going to be face to face with the children at Open Arms Foundation and I'm not sure what I can offer them.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-89760576900996654962010-06-21T18:01:00.000-07:002010-06-21T18:05:23.888-07:00Searching for my testimonyIt's hard to believe that I'll be in Colombia in just 42 days.<br /><br />We had our third team meeting last week where we talked about some administrative things such as finishing the service application and getting vaccinations. We also talked about the importance of preparing a testimony.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>What's my story?</b><br />I've been thinking about this a lot because I have no idea what to say! One of the prompts for preparing our testimony was "How did you know that you needed a Savior?" Well -- I guess I didn't know. I grew up Roman Catholic. I was baptized as a baby. In fact, growing up, I didn't know that there was an option to not believe in Jesus. No Catholic grade school teacher every really gives you that choice.<br /><br />And, I've never hit rock bottom. I get the impression that people who talk about "being saved," really were saved, like literally. The were saved from themselves, from their circumstances and I do believe that prayer and the acceptance of Jesus into their hearts changed their life. But let me be really honest here,&nbsp; I haven't had a life-saving event (and for that, I feel extremely grateful and blessed). So I'm mostly confused by the question "How did you know you needed a Savior?"<br /><br />Maybe I need to think about it in terms of "Why do I continue to see Jesus as my Savior?" That's a much more lengthy answer. <br /><br /><b>Part I</b><br />I'll admit that just two years ago, I questioned the whole Jesus thing. I was in the midst of spiritual crisis. I thought that I had been duped by the Catholic church and so I questioned everything I was ever taught. I really started reading up on other religions and talking with people of different faiths and began to wonder if I had it all wrong. I even considered converting to Judaism. I call this my exploratory phase. Looking back on it, I don't regret this time. I was doing my due diligence to ensure that I was making a well-educated choice about which faith to follow.<br /><br />While all this was going on,&nbsp; I began praying to God to guide me, to point me in the right direction. Meanwhile, a woman from my current church (whom I had only met once or twice), was continually reaching out to me -- but not in a pushy way -- just reaching out to make a connection. I began to wonder if it was a sign from God.<br /><br /><b>Finding Christianity in Spain </b><br />About a year into my spiritual crisis, my husband and I decided to go to Barcelona. While we were there, we went to <a href="http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/index.php">La Sagrada Familia</a>.&nbsp; I can't say it any better than the Sagrada Familia website:<i>&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><blockquote><i>Christian symbology is to be found in all Gaudí's work, but the most evident example of its application is the church, which tells the life of Jesus and the history of the faith. <br /><br />To that end the church has been built over the years according to Gaudí's original idea, which expresses the Catholic faith in the architecture: Jesus and the faithful, represented by Mary, the apostles and the saints. That can be seen in the eighteen bell towers, which symbolise Jesus, the Virgin, the four evangelists and the twelve apostles; on the three facades, which represent the human life of Jesus (from birth to death), and in the interior, which suggests the celestial Jerusalem, where a set of columns, dedicated to Christian cities and continents, represent the apostles. </i> </blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Though representative of the Catholic faith, I was so moved by the images in the architecture and by the faith it must take to create a work of art like that. I was also compelled by the story of Jesus' life as told by the architecture. It was like I was getting it for the first time. There was nothing new, no images that I was unfamiliar with, but seeing it there, on the grand scale, it just sunk it.<br /><br />I remember coming back from Spain and calling my mom and saying, "It's over. I decided that I'm going to be Christian." And that was my baby step back into recommitting to Christianity.<br /><br />Part II to come soon!Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-79242672006983782192010-06-06T17:43:00.000-07:002010-06-06T17:43:30.862-07:00The last two Open Arms videos<i>There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.</i> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+15&amp;version=NIV">Deuteronomy 15:11</a><br /><object height="422" width="750"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12255215&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12255215&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="750" height="422"></embed></object><br /><br /><i>Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. </i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&amp;version=NIV">James 1:27</a><br /><br /><object height="422" width="750"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12278859&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12278859&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="750" height="422"></embed></object>Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-26882729587079284882010-06-02T16:37:00.000-07:002010-06-02T16:52:57.834-07:00About the girls<b>What can I possibly do?</b><br />Open Arms is working to restore girls who are victims of sexual exploitation. I have absolutely no idea how I can possibly make an impact with these young women. Watching these videos gives me more questions than answers. But I guess I'm not expected to have all the answers, or really any sort of plan for myself going down there because that's what I learned from the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4&amp;version=NIV">Book of James</a>! I love me some James!<br /><br /><i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30335">13</sup>Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30336">14</sup>Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30337">15</sup>Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."&nbsp;</i><br /><br />Not that I plan to go there and "carry on business and make money" of course...but I think the take away is the part about God's will...If it's God's will that I go, then I'm sure he'll use me in a good way.<br /><i> </i><br /><b> </b><br /><b>Day 4: Street Exploitation of Young Girls </b><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12187876&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12187876&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/12187876">Day 4 - Street Girls: Sexual Exploitation (Prostitution)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/openarms">Open Arms Foundation</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>Day 5: Restoration of Innocence</b><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12216336&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12216336&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/12216336">Day 5 - Girls Program: Restoration of Innocence</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/openarms">Open Arms Foundation</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-67737390337286256322010-05-30T10:59:00.000-07:002010-05-30T10:59:54.195-07:00The right message at the right time<b>Getting into The Bible </b><br />Though I grew up in a faith (Catholic), I've never actually studied the Bible. I'm not sure I even realized the readings during a Catholic mass were from the Bible. Now that I'm reading it, I'm wishing I would have picked it up sooner! This is good stuff!<br /><br />I started a 52 week Bible reading plan but quickly scrapped that in favor of using the concordance to read about things like hope, perseverance, and faith. In the past two weeks, I started reading the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&amp;version=NIV">Book of James</a>. It's five short chapters and I keep re-reading it because it has so much relevance for this time in my life. It covers<i> Trials and Temptations, Listening and Doing, Faith and Deeds, Taming the Tongue, Two Kinds of Wisdom, Submitting to God, and The Prayer of Faith</i>.<br /><br /><b>A Just in Time Message from God</b><br />I don't know why I started reading James. I think I just opened the Bible to the book one day and started reading or maybe it was something in the concordance that directed me to it. Maybe the Holy Spirit intervened because God knew these are the words I needed to hear now.&nbsp; Take for example James 1:2-4&nbsp; <i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30253">2</sup>Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30254">3</sup>because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30255">4</sup>Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.</i><br /><br />If I think about the trials in my life, most notably the recent miscarriage (and yes, that might be the very first time any of you are hearing about it; I've come to a point I can openly share this deeply personal loss), I realize that it's during those times I lean most heavily on God.<br /><br />I read somewhere that God does not cause terrible tragedies but that He can work incredible good out of them. So that's what I think he is doing in my life. Through the miscarriage, I've come closer to God and closer to peace than I ever have been. And had it not been for the miscarriage, I would not be going to Colombia this summer, and I would not be writing about the trip and sharing my spiritual journey so publicly.<br /><br />I find it amazing that in the same book I read about perseverance and find so much personal relevance and comfort that this verse appears: <i>Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. </i>(James 1:27)<br /><i></i><br />I feel like God just tied a neat little bow on this book and handed it to me and said, "Go to Colombia."<i> </i><br />Cool, huh?<br /><br /><br />By the way, here's the Day 3 video from Open Arms:<br /><br /><object height="422" width="750"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12140594&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12140594&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="750" height="422"></embed></object><br /><i> </i>Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-29645412749813354842010-05-29T08:12:00.000-07:002010-05-29T08:12:43.206-07:00Day 2: Street BoysWe know for sure that we will be working at the San Pedro Boys Farm. From what our team leaders tell us,&nbsp; it's a Level 2 through Level 4 facility where the boys live in a familial setting and learn what it means to love and be loved. While the boys are at school, we will be working on construction projects around the farm. We'll spend our afternoons hanging out with the boys.<br /><br />This video is about the children Open Arms serves through its outreach.<br /><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12122748&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12122748&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/12122748">Day 2 - Street Boys: Cold, Weary &amp; Broken.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/openarms">Open Arms Foundation</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-69056764506981675512010-05-29T08:02:00.000-07:002010-05-29T08:06:00.875-07:00Day 1: Medellin, ColombiaHi Everyone,<br /><br />The Seven Glimpses of Hope Video Project has officially started. Read more about the project <a href="http://www.oafoundation.net/">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm cross-posting these videos and I've taken an excerpt from the <a href="http://www.openarmsfoundation.com/seven/blog">blog</a> and posted below but I encourage you to visit the site yourself. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about going. But as Romans 8: 28-31 says, "If God is with us, who can be against us?"<br /><br /><i>Nearly 3 weeks ago, Open Arms took in 12 pregnant girls between the ages of 12 and 17. OAF provided all the necessities these girls needed, providing them with food, clothing, a place to sleep and support throughout their whole pregnancy. Some of the girls have already had babies before, and OAF has taken those babies in as well and cared for them while the mothers start the process of being restored.</i><br /><br /><i>Also, yesterday in one of the barrios (poor neighborhoods), the guerrillas started taking children (boys and girls) from their homes to fight in their war or to work as prostitutes. One story just yesterday was of a young girl who fled to Open Arms’ downtown center for safety. OAF is working to find her a safe home, because the guerrillas have threatened if she came back that she would be killed.</i><br /><br /><br /><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12088854&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12088854&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/12088854">Day 1 - Medellin, Colombia</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/openarms">Open Arms Foundation</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-66191526351354708172010-05-22T13:43:00.000-07:002010-05-22T13:43:55.743-07:00Open Arms Releasing Videos SoonI was excited to see that the <a href="http://www.oafoundation.net/">Open Arms Foundation</a> is going to be releasing a series of videos called "Seven Glimpses of Hope." I included the preview below.<br /><br />Seeing this video both excites and terrifies me: I'm excited to have the opportunity to help and terrified that it's going to change me forever.&nbsp; <br /><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11856510&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11856510&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/11856510">Seven Glimpses of Hope</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/openarms">Open Arms Foundation</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-14275130523444302622010-05-09T17:52:00.000-07:002010-05-09T17:52:13.800-07:00On Mother's DayToday is Mother's Day. Having a mother who loves and cares for me is one of the greatest blessings in my life and I find myself filled with compassion for people who are unable to know and love their mother.<br /><br />I've been thinking about how blessed I am to have grown up knowing the love of my mother. I've been thinking about how I would be different today had it not been for who she is and who she wanted me to be.<br /><br />Today, I've been thinking about all the moms around the world who are victims of poverty and abuse; all the moms who are living with circumstances that cause them to make impossible choices about their children.<br /><br />I've been thinking about the mom who, in an effort to provide for her child, sells her body. I've been thinking about the mom who stays with the abusive partner because he's providing economic resources that she can't. I've been thinking about the mom who gives her child away in the hopes that he or she will have a better life. I've been thinking about the mom who sells her child into slavery. And I get angry. I get angry because there are women all over the world who make these choices.<br /><br />I am not angry at the mother. I am angry that there are circumstances like poverty that result in these choices. I am angry because these women, even the mother who sells her child, are still mothers. I'm angry that as humans, we can't create circumstances for every mother and child that allows them to give and experience the love I felt growing up.&nbsp; <br /><br />On this Mother's Day, I thank God for my mother and I pray for mothers around the world who are unable to care for their children. I pray for those mothers grieving the loss of their child, through any circumstance. I pray that God will lift these women and hold them and that they will know the peace that comes from loving God and placing it all in His hands.<br /><br />If you need something to pray for this Mother's Day,&nbsp; join me in praying for those children who are without their mothers, whose mothers are unable to teach them about God's love. Pray that they will know that God loves them.<br /><br /><br />And pray for those ministering to orphans around the world, that they will have patience and compassion and that God will give them the strength to carry on their important work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On this Mother's Day, thank God for your mom! I know I do.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-67854655376654867932010-04-26T08:07:00.000-07:002010-04-26T08:07:52.550-07:00Prayer requests from Open ArmsThe Open Arms Foundation sent the following prayer requests and asked the team to pray for the following as we prepare for our trip to Colombia.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>Yilmar and Cristian Giraldo</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/S9WqwNq-l5I/AAAAAAAAARM/Q1I9Ak0MffA/s1600/OAF+CGCJ.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/S9WqwNq-l5I/AAAAAAAAARM/Q1I9Ak0MffA/s320/OAF+CGCJ.png" /></a></div>OAF is trying to obtain visas for these teenage boys to come to school in the United States.&nbsp; Yilmar is in high school - learning English and would go to school here.&nbsp; Cristian had an opportunity to come to the States 2 years ago and stayed for a little over a year until his visa ran out.&nbsp; He is out of school and wants to study in a university here - right now he is volunteering with the boys at the farm.&nbsp; Pray for favor at the embassy for their visas - continued ability to learn and study their English and that God would continue to grow them into men after His own heart.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/S9WsLAec12I/AAAAAAAAARc/IOl9s6gjxXE/s1600/OAF+Girls+Center.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/S9WsLAec12I/AAAAAAAAARc/IOl9s6gjxXE/s320/OAF+Girls+Center.png" /></a></div><b>Young women recovering from abuse </b><br />A group of girls recently arrived at OAF.&nbsp; Pray for smooth transitions, soft hearts and patience for the girls as they adjust.&nbsp; Pray for wisdom and strength for the staff:&nbsp; that God would continue to give OAF wisdom on how to proceed with the girls and for financial assistance to come in for the girls' home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/S9WsD2nLEAI/AAAAAAAAARU/RrY2QysM2tI/s1600/OAF-Childrens+Church.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kSd7rB90yfY/S9WsD2nLEAI/AAAAAAAAARU/RrY2QysM2tI/s320/OAF-Childrens+Church.png" /></a></div><b>Saturday Morning Children's Churches</b> <br />Located in very poor neighborhoods, please pray that the kids continue to go and in doing so, they come to know the Lord.&nbsp; Please pray that as a result of knowing the Lord they would remain off the streets, that the youth leaders who help with these churches would continue to grow in their walks with the Lord - and pray against the strong pulls of secular society on their lives.<br /><br /><b>The Churches (Downtown &amp; Robledo)</b> <br />Please pray that God would raise up leaders within the Churches.&nbsp; For both Churches - that more adults would come - especially men.&nbsp; That those coming to Church would come to know the Lord.&nbsp; In the Downtown church you can often have a prostitute sitting next to a drug addict next to an abusive parent next to a thief.&nbsp; It would be great to say all "former....." - but not so - these people are seeking and find they are welcome in the church.&nbsp; Also, pray for the church leaders as they seek to reach the lost.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-23968126577371351822010-04-26T07:49:00.000-07:002010-04-26T07:51:20.419-07:00Tending the weedsI came across this poem by Mildred Ramsey. The writing captures the idea that it's easy to do what's easy; it's in doing what's hard that we grow in God.<br /><b><br />A Plot of Weeds</b><br /><br />As I stood and admired God’s wonderful world as a garden of beautiful plots I said, Father, where would you have me to work? Just assign me some nice spot. <br /><br />Then he turned my attention to a corner of weeds and, he said “you can tend that for me.” And I said “Oh no, Lord, not that overgrown acre. That’s nothing but briars and weeds. In a rose garden maybe or a lilac lagoon I will labor till life’s race is run. But don’t put me out in some lowly ravine where nobody can see what I’ve done.”<br /><br />“Why people would laugh Lord, they’ll call me a fool. They’ll say this work cant be of you. I’d much rather work in a vineyard with folks who’ll appreciate all that I do. Lord. I’d work and I’d toll if I had fertile soil. I would plow, I would plant and I’d seed. For I do want to serve in the garden of life, but, Lord, not in an old plot of weeds.”<br /><br />Then I lifted my eyes to the eyes of my Lord, and the love and compassion was plain. With infinite tenderness, he took me aside. And gently to me he explained, “Child, not all of my garden is level and smooth. Many pieces are rugged and rough. And some must be willing to work without praise and to serve where the going is tough. And I have chosen you for this one special task. And its not just an old plot of weeds; for my people are there in oppression and fear and your efforts there can help fill their needs.”<br /><br />He said “aren’t you willing to suffer a little bit for me after I suffered so much for you? Would you be so ungrateful that you would recall the work that I’ve asked you to do?” Then he said, “Little One, get your hoe and your plow and go on to your garden of weeds. Don’t worry about people and what they might say. Are you working for them or for me?”<br /><br />So I made up my mind I would give it my best for I knew when the work had begun; that God would send others to lighten the load and together we would get the job done. And when the last harvest is finally in, if we’ve worked in the sunshine and rain together we’ll stand at the end of the way and we’ll see what our labor gained.<br /><br />No, a garden of weeds full of thistles and thorns would hardly be anyone’s choice. But the work of the Lord without hope for reward brings contentment and cause to rejoice. So if you are hoeing and plowing today where the ground seems unyielding and bare; Child of God, don’t look back but just keep pushing on if you know he has stationed you there.<br /><br />And here is the way you can know, day by day, that you’re in the right place when you spot it; you may grow quite weary and tired in God’s way, but you never will grow tired OF it.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-82304300828007663702010-04-18T18:55:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:48:15.226-07:00When God Talks<b>The first time </b><br />I remember when I first heard about the <a href="http://www.oafoundation.net/">Open Arms Foundation</a>. I was sitting at <a href="http://www.eastsidevineyard.org/">church</a> listening to Pastor Adam talking about the 2010 church missions and then he did it. He played the <a href="http://vimeo.com/6938447">video</a>.<br /><br />I was moved to tears and I had this feeling wash over me: a feeling like I had to do something. But what? I couldn't go to Colombia, could I?&nbsp; <br /><br />Weeks passed and I continued to think about the children I saw in the video: the young girls playing in the alley, the teenagers hanging out at a corner convenience store, the boys on the street. I thought about Adam's sermon about serving those most in need, about Jesus' saying "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.." (Matthew 25: 41-46). And that was it. I thought about it. <br /><br />Around the same time, I saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0936501/">Taken,</a> a movie about human trafficking that haunts me to this day. Again, the same feeling: what can I do? Certainly I'm not to join the FBI and hunt down and prosecute traffickers. Right? It's just a movie. I can't really do anything here.<br /><br /><b>Trying to forget</b><br />And so I pushed it all out of my head. Except it kept coming back. I attended a local human trafficking seminar hosted by our church and I was shocked to learn of the staggering statistics about trafficking in the United States and even just in Ohio. But what could I do?<br /><br />I kept thinking, "I have a husband, and a demanding job, and a volunteer gig with the Girl Scouts, and ideas about starting a family. Now is just not a good time."<br />&nbsp; <br />As much as I tried to forget about everything I had seen and heard over the past months, the words 'trafficking,' 'children,' 'drugs,' 'sex,' kept slipping in and out of my head. And I kept pushing them to the back of my mind and filling the front with my life, my plans.<br /><br /><b>When plans don't go as planned</b><br />That didn't work. My life, my plans, were dramatically altered by an event too personal to discuss; but I will say that I had simply no choice but to listen to God. And when I listened, I heard Colombia.<br /><br />And so I will go.<br /><br /><b>Saying yes to going</b><br />I am going to Medellin, Colombia on August 3, 2010. I will travel with a group of women from Eastside Vineyard Church on behalf of God to "work for, protect, and care for the street children who are abandoned, abused, and exploited."<br /><br />As I learn more about the trip and listen to what God has planned for us, I will share it here in this space. I hope you'll read with interest and follow my journey.Adam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777282616618872732.post-80202228782606700662010-04-18T18:34:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:48:55.141-07:00How can you help?<b>How can you help? </b><br />First and foremost, I ask for your prayer. Please pray for my safety and for the safety of those I'll be traveling with. Please pray that God will work through us and will guide us in serving the Open Arms Foundation and the children of Medellin. And finally, please pray that all victims of human trafficking, wherever they are, are able to get the help they need and in their struggles are able to hear God and know that He cares.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>What about financial assistance?</b><br />I've had several people ask me about financially supporting this trip. Thank you to those of you who have offered to provide assistance. I am grateful and humbled by your generosity.<br /><br />If you'd like to donate to the mission trip to Colombia, please use the donate link on the right hand side.<br /><br />The approximate costs are:<br />• $380 for food/transportation/lodging in Medellin<br />• $400 for construction/ministry (numerous building and repair projects around the mission home)<br />• $600 - 800 for airfare and travel related expensesAdam &amp; Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10846097901624833960noreply@blogger.com0